Yesterday, I found myself observing my 2-year-old struggle to put on her sock for nearly 10 minutes. She kept getting the fabric wedged between her last two toes. When I offered assistance, she resolutely declined, as all toddlers do, reveling in their newfound autonomy. “I can do it,” she declared, pulling away from me with determination. Then, she painstakingly continued what felt like the slowest sock application in history.
Both of my children have their own pace, but one is particularly leisurely. In fact, there are numerous things that move faster than she does, including:
- Pebbles
- Foods simmering in a slow cooker
- DMV lines
- The lunar phases
- The three-toed sloth, which waddles at a maximum of 10 feet per minute—roughly 8 feet more than my child
- The rewind function on a VHS player
- The effects of global warming
- The first half of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”
- The British line of succession
- My progress on laundry
- The journey of pregnancy
- A decade passing
- The Tour de France
- The process of evolution
- The breakdown of a Keurig K-cup
This slow-motion phenomenon is not isolated to just putting on socks; it extends to brushing teeth, eating, bathing, and even getting out of the car. In fact, it takes less time for the Earth to complete its orbit around the sun than it does for my toddler to transition from her car seat to the ground.
The experience of nurturing toddlers has truly been a lesson in patience. Perhaps by the time they reach adulthood, their speed will be comparable to the gradual effects of global warming. For those looking to explore similar themes or seek guidance on parenting, consider checking out this link for more insights. Resources such as Make A Mom also provide valuable information on related topics. Additionally, the CDC offers an excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the pace of toddlers can be a humorous and testing experience for any parent. While we might feel like we’re moving at a snail’s pace, it’s important to embrace these moments, however slow they may be.